Hughes &amp; Kettnerhttp://www.guitarworld.com/taxonomy/term/1395/all
enHughes & Kettner Announces 30th Anniversary NOS Limited Edition TubeMeister Ampshttp://www.guitarworld.com/hughes-kettner-announces-30th-anniversary-nos-limited-edition-tubemeister-amps
<!--paging_filter--><p>This year marks the 30th year of Hughes &amp; Kettner’s quest for the perfect guitar amplifier tone, and the brand is celebrating by producing a Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Series of its groundbreaking TubeMeister range — with a difference.</p>
<p>The amps, which are set to be available as TubeMeister 18 Head and TubeMeister 36 Head models, feature Soviet “New Old Stock” EL84 power tubes that were built long before Hughes &amp; Kettner was born.</p>
<p>Manufactured in the legendary Saratov factories, the tubes comply with military-grade specifications for the aircraft industry (which require the highest levels of reliability and the strictest tolerances), and are built to last for a lifetime with a consistent quality and power. They deliver noticeably more output than standard EL84s, which results in more headroom for clean tones and even more punch for overdrive sounds.</p>
<p>TubeMeister itself is celebrating its third anniversary of Rocking on Stage, Playing at Home and Recording at Night in 2014, and these new limited edition models – which also come with a black glossy chassis, and proudly show the 30th anniversary logo on the front panel – are sure to become sought after collector’s items.</p>
<p>As well as the NOS tubes, the new models feature everything that has made TubeMeister a global guitar amp sensation: diminutive dimensions, powerful tones from the EL84 and 12AX7 tubes, the industry-standard Red Box DI output for pain-free recording, a flexible Power Soak… and, of course, the ubiquitous blue-lit logo that can now be seen on stages, in studios and in practice rooms across the world.</p>
<p>Hughes and Kettner amplifiers are distributed in North America by Yorkville Sound.</p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/hughes-kettner-announces-30th-anniversary-nos-limited-edition-tubemeister-amps#commentsHughes & KettnerAmpsNewsGearThu, 28 Aug 2014 20:49:13 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/22233Review: Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 36 Combo Amplifierhttp://www.guitarworld.com/review-hughes-kettner-tubemeister-36-combo-amplifier
<!--paging_filter--><p>Hughes &amp; Kettner hit a home run with the original, all-tube, lunch box–sized TubeMeister 18 head. </p>
<p>Its plug-and-play design, English-inspired tones and low-power options, not to mention its compact chassis and chic illuminated front panel, made it a sensation worldwide. Naturally, it spawned a family of amplifiers, the latest of which is the three-channel, 36-watt TubeMeister 36 combo. It features the same amplification found in the TubeMeister 36 head with the convenience of a self-contained 1x12 combo.</p>
<p><strong>Features</strong></p>
<p>Hit the power switch and the blue front panel comes to life. Pushbuttons activate each of the three channels: Lead, Crunch and Clean. The Crunch and Lead channels share bass, mid and treble controls, while the Clean channel has its own set. Each channel has dedicated gain and master pots. </p>
<p>The back panel offers a host of features, including a power soak with options for one, five, 18 or 36 watts, and speaker off. The combo’s single speaker output is connected to the internal 12-inch Celestion Vintage 30, and the built-in Red Box can emulate the sound of a 4x12 cab through its balanced output—perfect for connecting the TubeMeister 36 to a mixing console and for silent recording in combination with the power soak’s silent setting. There is also a reverb control with an on/off button, an effect loop with an on/off button, and separate footswitch jacks for each. If you have a MIDI switcher, you can use it to control the effect loop and reverb as well as to access channels and assign different power options to each. </p>
<p>Finally, LEDs on the back panel indicate the status of the amp’s four EL-84 power tubes, which are constantly biased and optimized by Hughes &amp; Kettner’s own TSC (Tube Safety Control). Should a tube go bad, the TSC will adjust biasing to allow the amp to continue functioning. </p>
<p><strong>Performance</strong> </p>
<p>As I own an 18-watt TubeMeister head, I decided to pit it against the combo for part of my tests. In addition to the combo’s higher-power option, it displays a more fluid midrange. The combo’s bass response remains taut and well extended, even at stage volumes. Clean tones resonated with a sweet but controlled demeanor in the closed-back cabinet, and I preferred them to tones from most combinations of head and cab. The TubeMeister combo’s Eighties Brit-style crunch is quite punchy, if not as spacious as what I’ve heard through the head, and lead tones felt particularly lively through the combo. </p>
<p><strong>List Price</strong> $1,499</p>
<p><strong>Manufacturer</strong> Hughes and Kettner, Inc., <a href="http://hughes-and-kettner.com/">hughes-and-kettner.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Cheat Sheet</strong> </p>
<p>The single 12-inch Celestion Vintage 30 delivers delicious midrange tones that sound and feel like the amp has more gain and sustain than its head counterpart. </p>
<p>All of the TubeMeister 36’s features are present in the combo, including the Red Box output, power soak options, three channels and MIDI controllability. </p>
<p><strong>The Bottom Line</strong> </p>
<p>Hughes &amp; Kettner’s TubeMeister 36 combo provides all the hot-rodded tone and features of the head—including MIDI control of its three channels, reverb and effect loop—in a portable 1x12 combo.</p>
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<!--paging_filter--><p>Hughes &amp; Kettner has unveiled the next step in the evolution of the guitar amplifier — the all-new GrandMeister.</p>
<p>The GrandMeister takes the Hughes &amp; Kettner TubeMeister all-tube amp formula and brings it fully up to speed with modern technological advances. A fully analog tube amp as we know it, the GrandMeister now delivers studio-quality effects with Smart Rotary Controls, making incredible tube tone now fully programmable.</p>
<p>“With Smart Rotary Controls, our design engineers have created a unique feature that opens a new chapter in controlling tube-driven tone,” says Hughes &amp; Kettner Product Manager Rüdiger Forse. “You can remote control every single pot and switch with any MIDI footswitch, expression pedal or even with an iPad. Imagine you can not only adjust volume with your pedal, but also gain or EQ settings — in real time! This is a radically new way to express yourself.”</p>
<p>The GrandMeister still delivers a full set of TubeMeister features, including that all-important Red Box DI output and power soak, however, the addition of reverb, tap delay, flange, phase, tremolo and chorus along with full programmability of the four valve channels make it the perfect amplifier for stage or studio.</p>
<p>The GrandMeister can be fully controlled by any MIDI controller, or via Hughes &amp; Kettner's FSM432 MKII floorboard. It is also possible to control and program the amp via an iPad; the free GrandMeister app is already available in the App Store.</p>
<p>The GrandMeister is available as a 36-watt head. The integrated power soak allows 18-watt, 5-watt, 1-watt and silent modes making it perfect for performing anywhere. </p>
<p>Powered by four EL84 valves, the GrandMeister is capable of a jaw-dropping array of tones, from crisp cleans to crunching distortions and soaring overdrives.</p>
<p>Available first quarter 2014 with a projected MSRP of $1,499 USD. </p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/">hughes-and-kettner.com</a>.</p>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/hughes-kettner-launches-grandmeister-guitar-amplifier#commentsHughes & KettnerAmpsNewsGearMon, 16 Sep 2013 20:17:51 +0000Guitar World Staffhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/19247Bell Bottom Blues: Five Modern Effect Pedals That Recreate Groovy '70s Soundshttp://www.guitarworld.com/bell-bottom-blues-five-modern-effect-pedals-recreate-groovy-70s-sounds
<!--paging_filter--><p>Bell bottoms? Check. Blacklight posters? Check. Glossy photo of Marcia Brady? Check.</p>
<p>Strap into the Wayback Machine, Sherman! Today we're heading back to that glorious decade known as the 1970s to take a look at five great effect pedals that will transport your rig back to a golden age of guitar.</p>
<p>From the overdriven sounds of Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi to the out-of-this-world prog tones of David Gilmour and Alex Lifeson, the '70s were pivotal in creating some of the guitar sounds that are still being ripped off by today's class of rock guitarists. </p>
<p>Whether you're putting together the ultimate Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin tribute band or just trying to add a bit of vintage flare to your modern-rock masterpiece, the pedals on this list are sure to help you recapture some of that groovy '70s magic.</p>
<p>This list was compiled by a group of <em>Guitar World</em> staffers including Gear Editor Paul Riario.</p>
<p><strong>EarthQuaker Devices Bit Commander</strong></p>
<p>Although synths would take over the air waves completely in the next decade, they were still an inescapable part of the ever-evolving guitar landscape of the 1970s.</p>
<p>For its simple architecture and versatility, the Earthquaker Devices Bit Commander is our pick for <em>the</em> guitar synth you need in your arsenal. Handmade in Akron, Ohio, the Bit Commander proves a grittier alternative to the cleaner, slicker sounds of the Subdecay Octasynth or the POG. </p>
<p>In some ways, the Bit Commander is almost cheating in a list limited to five effects, as it doubles as a useful octave fuzz. The six control knobs — Sub, Down 1, Up 1, Filter, Level and Base — ensure a high degree of control and nearly endless potential for custom settings.</p>
<p><em>MSRP: $175 | <a href="http://www.earthquakerdevices.com/shop/bit-commander/">Check out this pedal at EarthquakerDevices.com.</a></em></p>
<p><img src="http://dl.guitarworld.com/bitcommander.png" width="620" /></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Hughes &amp; Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII</strong></p>
<p>While the sound of a vintage Strat through a Leslie (a massive wooden cabinet outfitted with a revolving speaker) was ubiquitous in the early ‘70s, it might stir up some very distinct “Echos” of Pink Floyd, Peter Frampton, King Crimson and Necktar, not to mention chart-topping singles by Three Dog Night, Boston and Ringo Starr.</p>
<p>If you’re after that wavy, wet, rotating sound in 2012, it don't come easy (Ringo reference!). You could A. spend big bucks on eBay or B. wait for one to turn up on a New York City street corner (This actually happened to a friend of ours — someone was throwing away a vintage Leslie cabinet!). The good news, however, is that you could C., grab a Hughes &amp; Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII. It is, simply put, the best Leslie simulator on the market.</p>
<p>The pedal, which is pretty big in its own right and runs on an AC power adapter, has two rotation speeds plus deceleration and acceleration effects. It can be used in mono or stereo mode, which — no lie — makes it pretty much indistinguishable from an actual Leslie (Personal experience here — I have a Rotosphere, and my lucky friend has that NYC Leslie).</p>
<p>Side note: Yes, this is a ‘70s story, but for two tracks that offer pretty unadulterated examples of the real Leslie sound, check out a pair of ‘80s tracks by the Vaughan brothers: “One’s Too Many” by The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Jimmie Vaughan (1981) and “Cold Shot” by Stevie Ray Vaughan &amp; Double Trouble (1984). </p>
<p><em>MSRP: $739 | <a href="http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php5?id=14">Check out this pedal at hughes-and-kettner.com.</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/roto.jpg" width="620" height="524" alt="roto.jpg" /></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Danelectro Reel Echo</strong></p>
<p>If you’re going for an authentic ‘70s sound (any part of the ‘70s, for that matter), you’ll need at least a touch of delay. And while you might consider this something of a curveball, we really like Danelectro’s Reel Echo pedal.</p>
<p>Low-budget rockabilly players love this thing because it provides a top-notch Cliff Gallup/Stray Cats-style slap-echo effect – but in general, its “all the good stuff minus all the annoying stuff” similarities to vintage (and/or incredibly expensive) tape echo machines makes it a winner for any kind of music.</p>
<p>Its long horizontal fader lets you choose the length of delay you’re after, and another switch let you choose a solid-state or tube-amp sound. There’s also a Warble switch that simulates tape-pitch deviations and a Lo-Fi control that lets you roll off the high frequencies. A lot of thought went into this thing! </p>
<p>NOTE: This pedal requires an AC adapter, which doesn’t come in the box; you need to buy it separately. </p>
<p><em>MSRP: $199 | <a href="http://www.danelectro.com/more_reel.html">Check out this pedal at danelectro.com.</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/reel.jpg" width="620" height="465" alt="reel.jpg" /></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff PI Distortion</strong></p>
<p>From warm, fuzzy bass sounds to cutting lead sounds, the Big Muff PI from Electro-Harmonix is really the epitome of that classic '70s distortion sound.</p>
<p>While Woodstock-era heroes like Hendrix and Santana were among the first to get their hands on the original Big Muff, the pedal is most definitely revered for its place in the '70s as an integral part of the rigs of David Gilmour, Ace Frehley, Ronnie Montrose and countless others.</p>
<p>Built like a tank, the Big Muff PI features controls for Volume, Tone and Sustain, which may seem a bit limiting to button-happy guitar geeks, but is really all you need to produce a wide array of vintage distortion and fuzz tones. </p>
<p><em>MSRP: $108 | <a href="http://www.ehx.com/products/big-muff-pi">Check out this pedal at EHX.com.</a></em></p>
<p><img src="http://dl.guitarworld.com/bigmuff.jpg" width="620" /></p>
<p><strong>Right now, with more than 40 years of design experience and musical experimentation to draw on, we're in the midst of a golden age for guitar effect pedal users and makers. You can choose the original, pioneering vintage models or souped-up clones from more contemporary designers. In his comprehensive guide, <em>Guitar Effects Pedals - The Practical Handbook,</em> Dave Hunter spells out the pros and cons of both. <a href="http://store.guitarworld.com/collections/mix-books/products/guitar-effects-pedals-the-practical-handbook/?&amp;utm_source=gw_homepage&amp;utm_medium=daily_scroller&amp;utm_campaign=70sPedals">Check it out now at the Guitar World Online Store</a>.</strong></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>MXR M-134 Stereo Chorus</strong></p>
<p>The ‘70s might be gone (Wait, it's been confirmed — they’re gone), but one of the decade’s most popular guitar effects — chorus — never really went away. It’s a mainstay on ultra-modern modeling amps, and scores of experienced guitarists still consider it a pedal-board must.</p>
<p>MXR (made by Jim Dunlop) makes one of the best stereo chorus pedals on the market, the M134. This sturdy, good-looking pedal really will “remind you how cool chorus can be,” as the MXR press material says. </p>
<p>There’s a lot of tone-shaping capability here; you can get started with the Rate and Width knobs then go crazy with the Intensity knob. Despite its name, you can get some great mono chorus as well, but don’t forget those stereo outputs. Another nice feature is the fact you can EQ your voicing with the Bass and Treble controls.</p>
<p><em>MSRP: $314 | <a href="http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/m134-stereo-chorus">Check out this pedal at jimdunlop.com.</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/MXR.jpg" width="620" height="462" alt="MXR.jpg" /></p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6AMiw-jG2FU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Can't get enough gear? Check out the 2013 Guitar World Buyer's Guide. <a href="http://store.guitarworld.com/collections/buyers-guide/products/buyers-guide-2013/?&amp;utm_source=guitarworld.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=70sPedals">It's available now at the Guitar World Online Store.</a></strong></p>
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<a href="/pink-floyd">Pink Floyd</a> </div>
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http://www.guitarworld.com/bell-bottom-blues-five-modern-effect-pedals-recreate-groovy-70s-sounds#commentsEarthQuaker DevicesEHXElectro-HarmonixHughes & KettnerMXRPink FloydEffectsNewsFeaturesGearWed, 24 Apr 2013 12:30:55 +0000Josh Hart, Damian Fanellihttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/16473Review: Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 36 Amp Headhttp://www.guitarworld.com/review-hughes-kettner-tubemeister-36-amp-head
<!--paging_filter--><p>I reviewed Hughes &amp; Kettner’s Tubemeister 5 mini amp a few issues ago, and was impressed by both its feature set and huge sound. The new Tubemeister 36, with 36 watts of output and three channels, offers considerably more features in a compact package that’s only about twice the size of the Tubemeister 5. The Tubemeister 36 may still qualify as a mini amp, but the only things small about it are its physical dimensions and affordable price. It offers versatility, performance and functions that aren’t available on many three-channel amps nearly four times its size.</p>
<p><strong>FEATURES</strong></p>
<p>The Tubemeister 36 is a stylish amp head featuring chrome handles on its sides and a clear Plexiglas faceplate that lets you see the transformers and glowing tubes inside. The interior is also illuminated with cool blue LEDs when the amp is powered up. Four EL84 tubes drive the power amp section to provide 36 watts of output, while three 12AX7 tubes drive the preamp section. To keep the size as small as possible, the Tubemeister 36 features onboard digital reverb instead of a bulky spring reverb tank. The reverb is also programed to sound full and lush with clean tones and become less pronounced with crunch and distortion tones to avoid the smeared mush that often occurs when using reverb with high-gain sounds.</p>
<p>The front panel is logically laid out. It has separate gain and master volume controls for the Clean, Crunch and Lead channels, three-band EQ (treble, mid, bass) controls for the Clean channel, and three-band EQ controls that are shared by the Crunch and Lead channels. Each channel has its own push-button selector switch, although you can also switch channels with an optional footswitch controller or via MIDI. The rear panel reveals most of the Tubemeister 36’s “secret” weapons, which include its Power Soak feature, Red Box DI output and TSC (Tube Safety Control) self-adjusting bias feature. </p>
<p>The Power Soak reduces power to 18 watts, five watts or one watt and provides a speaker-off setting that allows guitarists to use the head without an external speaker cabinet or load box. The Power Soak is also MIDI programmable, allowing users to program different settings for each channel (such as 36 watts for the Clean channel for maximum clean headroom, 18 watts for the Crunch channel to produce full-bodied power amp overdrive and five watts for the Lead channel to generate singing sustain at lower volumes). Up to 128 different combinations can be saved. The Red Box is an XLR DI output with 4x12 speaker emulation for sending the preamp and power amp tone to a mixing console or recorder. The TSC automatically adjusts optimum bias, and rear-panel LEDs indicate if the power tubes are malfunctioning.</p>
<p>A MIDI input lets guitarists use an external MIDI controller to switch channels, reverb, effect loop and Power Soak settings, and a MIDI Learn switch makes it easy to assign amp settings to a program-change number. The seven-pin MIDI connector also provides up to 20 volts of direct current for powering a MIDI controller without an external power supply. </p>
<p><strong>PERFORMANCE</strong></p>
<p>I thought the Tubemeister 5 sounded huge, but the Tubemeister 36 sounds absolutely colossal, especially when connected to a 4x12 cabinet. Like most Hughes &amp; Kettner amps, it has its own sonic personality, so you’ll want to try a variety of cabinets to find the best match. With 1x12 cabinets, the amp sounded best through speakers with scooped midrange characteristics, as the Tubemeister 36’s inherent midrange is quite pronounced and assertive. </p>
<p>The Clean channel offers more than ample undistorted headroom, and it can generate lush, gorgeous tones with the reverb dialed in. The Crunch and Lead channels deliver plenty of supersaturated gain and sustain, but if you prefer muscular power amp thump you can get that even at low volume levels thanks to the Power Soak. Don’t let the Tubemeister 36’s small size and 36-watt output fool you—this is a truly gigworthy amp that’s more than loud enough for the stage. And if you need more volume you can feed its glorious tone to the house PA via its impressive Red Box DI.</p>
<p><strong>THE BOTTOM LINE</strong></p>
<p>The Hughes &amp; Kettner Tubemeister 36 may be a mini amp head, but it provides outstanding tones, versatile professional features and distinctive innovations that many full-size amps don’t offer.</p>
<p><strong>LIST PRICE</strong> $1,199<br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong> Hughes &amp; Kettner, <a href="http://hughes-and-kettner.com">hughes-and-kettner.com</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/hughesandkettner">facebook.com/hughesandkettner</a></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/TM36_Back.jpg" width="620" /></p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/review-hughes-kettner-tubemeister-36-amp-head#commentsHughes & KettnerAmpsNewsGearWed, 02 Jan 2013 19:34:31 +0000Chris Gillhttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/17479Tones of the Beast: Five Essential Heavy Metal Amps, Part 2http://www.guitarworld.com/tones-beast-five-essential-heavy-metal-amps-part-2
<!--paging_filter--><p>Last week, we posted our <a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/tones-beast-five-essential-metal-amps-part-1">picks for five essential heavy metal guitar amps</a>. It featured a quintet of out-of-the-box, ready-for-business bruisers built for purveyors of the heaviest of rock.</p>
<p>The story was so popular -- and there were so many other fine amp choices available -- that we found ourselves asking each other, "Why limit it to five?"</p>
<p>Here, therefore, is an additional serving of five essential metal amps, presented in no particular order. Like last time, this list was compiled by a group of <em>Guitar World</em> staffers, including Technical Editor Paul Riario. </p>
<p>We considered power, versatility and stage-worthiness, narrowing our picks to five amps that will have you ready to seek and destroy right out of the box, no pedals required. </p>
<p><strong>Peavey 6505+</strong></p>
<p>Most high-gain fiends know that Peavey’s 6505 Series amps are evolutionary creations that began with the Peavey/Van Halen–designed 5150 heads. When Peavey’s association with Van Halen ended in 2004, the company continued to build the same insanely high-gain amp under the new 6505 name and went about updating some of the amp’s ancillary features. </p>
<p>However, they didn’t change the amps’ extreme-gain circuits, die-hard construction and affordability. </p>
<p>The amp (<a href="http://www.peavey.com/6505/">which comes in a ton of variations</a>) is primed by up to six 12AX7 preamp tubes and driven by four 6L6GC power tubes, delivering brutal high-gain power. </p>
<p>Try plugging into the high-gain input to double the input gain for crushing overdriven tones. You also can create a second "lead" tone by engaging the Crunch option on the rhythm channel. In the master section, you'll find the Resonance and Presence controls. Resonance acts as a low-frequency boost, while Presence acts as a high-frequency boost, both allowing you to sculpt your tone. All of this tonal power is housed in an exterior that is built for the rigors of the road.</p>
<p><em>MSRP: $1,349.99 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XHB4UI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B002XHB4UI&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=guitworl06-20">Buy at Amazon</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=guitworl06-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B002XHB4UI" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/peavey_1.jpg" width="620" height="238" alt="peavey_1.jpg" /></p>
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<p><strong>Marshall JVM410H</strong></p>
<p>If you're into built-in gain, you'll dig Marshall's all-tube, four-channel JVM410H 100-watt head. It actually sports more gain than any other Marshall model ever made, which is kinda saying something.</p>
<p>One thing's for sure: This is a feature-packed machine. There are four channels, each with an independent EQ. Volume and Gain controls run through separate, footswitchable master volumes driven by four ECC83 tubes (or "valves" in the UK, where this amp is made) in the preamp, one ECC83 and four EL34 power amp tubes. Each channel comes with three separate gain modes -- green, orange and red. Each one reconfigures the gain structure of the channel to offer gradually increasing levels of gain. You could say (as Marshall does) that this amp is 12 Marshalls in one.</p>
<p>The JVM410H also offers digital reverb with a level control for each channel. This also is footswitchable, as are the amp's two Master Volume controls and the Series/Parallel effects loop. Resonance and Presence are equipped with master controls.</p>
<p>If you're shooting for a classic name with an updated, brutal sound, this is the Marshall for you. (But remember, this thing will provide some super-clean tones as well.)</p>
<p><em>MSRP: $2,999.99 to $3,400 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MC0VBU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B004MC0VBU&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=guitworl06-20">Buy at Amazon</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/marshall.jpg" width="620" height="265" alt="marshall.jpg" /></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Orange Amps Dark Terror</strong></p>
<p>Based on the size of this amp, it could've been called the Tiny Terror, but that name is already taken, of course. </p>
<p>Simply put, the Dark Terror is a lot like Napoleon Bonaparte -- small but very aggressive. This distinctive-looking head produces a mind-blowing sound that combines the Shape control of Orange's Thunder series with the weight and size of its Terror family. The result is plenty of lovely gain and responsiveness. </p>
<p>And speaking of gain, due to its high-gain preamp, the Dark Terror is the highest-gain amp in the history of Orange's Terror series. It also comes with a handy, tube-driven FX loop. So we agree with Orange when they say, "It is uncompromisingly brutal, doubtless unhinged, even ferocious. The Dark Terror rises from the ethereal depths to fulfill the every desire of the heavy metal and rock guitar players. With its characteristic fearless Orange Amp looks, heavy duty construction and portability, guitar players everywhere will quickly become attuned to this scary dark force of nature."</p>
<p>For more about this amp, <a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/review-orange-dark-terror-amplifier">check out Paul Riario's video review.</a></p>
<p><em>MSRP: $829 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EQHURG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B005EQHURG&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=guitworl06-20">Buy at Amazon</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/orange_0.jpg" width="620" height="381" alt="orange_0.jpg" /></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Hughes &amp; Kettner Coreblade</strong></p>
<p>Germany's Hughes &amp; Kettner offers a huge range of gear for players in search of an assortment of tones. It dabbles in "the vintage thing" with its Puretone amps and produces several cost-effective solid-states, including the Attax. The Coreblade, however, is a bit different. </p>
<p>For starters, compared to some others, this is a very big head -- but the sound it produces is also big, if not huge. The amp, the flagship head in the brand's Pro Class, delivers seriously tough tone, dynamic response and an explosive punch. Two of the four channels are voiced to offer completely different high-gain alternatives. The amp's Drive channel supplies the classic sounds of the early metal era. The Clean channel offers tons of headroom, rendering even the most aggressive attack with sparkle and chime. </p>
<p>Boost is separately switchable and three effect modules may be used simultaneously for each per channel. The ultra-precise, remarkably musical IDB noise gate is available for all channels. Programmable potentiometers enable settings to be stored in 128 memory slots, and the included MIDI board affords easy access to these presets. </p>
<p>The Coreblade is the first tube amp that downloads presets directly to USB sticks and uploads new presets at the touch of a button. Best of all, every sound is all tube with no modeling.</p>
<p>For more about this amp, <a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/review-hughes-kettner-coreblade-amp">check out these two review videos featuring GW's Paul Riario.</a> The top video checks out the amp's sounds; the bottom video focuses on its features.</p>
<p><em>MSRP: $2,649 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HZNQQ0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B003HZNQQ0&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=guitworl06-20">Buy at Amazon</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/coreblade.jpg" width="620" height="240" alt="coreblade.jpg" /></p>
<hr />
<p><strong>EVH 5150 III</strong></p>
<p>The EVH 5150 III all-tube amp head was developed to meet the specs of one Edward Van Halen. The cool thing, however, is that, while you certainly get his patented "brown sound" out of this attractive amp, you also can dial in a much more metal-friendly, high-gain, saturated tone with tons of harmonics and sustain.</p>
<p>The 5150 III is a three-channel amp that sets players off in three different directions -- high-def cleans, the brownest of brown sounds with punch and definition, and maniacal high gains. We're talking an attractive range of crunch to all-out mayhem. To be honest, the 5150 III sounds like no other amp and should be applauded for its versatility alone.</p>
<p>And let's not forget the EVH 5150 III 50-watt head, which is a smaller-sized version of the 5150 III. Its size and portability make it perfect amp for players who want arena volume, tone and performance from something that will fit in your bedroom.</p>
<p><em>MSRP: $2,399.99 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R2NRY6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B001R2NRY6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=guitworl06-20">Buy at Amazon</a></em></p>
<p><img src="/files/imce-images/EVH.jpg" width="620" height="258" alt="EVH.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>Can't get enough gear? Check out the 2013 Guitar World Buyer's Guide. <a href="http://store.guitarworld.com/collections/buyers-guide/products/buyers-guide-2013/?&amp;utm_source=guitarworld.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=MetalAmps">It's available now at the Guitar World Online Store.</a></strong></p>
http://www.guitarworld.com/tones-beast-five-essential-heavy-metal-amps-part-2#commentsDamian FanelliEVHHughes & KettnerlistlistsMarshallOrange AmpsPeaveyAmpsNewsFeaturesGearThu, 23 Aug 2012 14:58:12 +0000Damian Fanellihttp://www.guitarworld.com/article/16585Review: Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 5 Combo and Headhttp://www.guitarworld.com/review-hughes-kettner-tubemeister-5-combo-and-head
<!--paging_filter--><p><em>The following content is related to the July 2012 issue of </em>Guitar World<em>. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now, or in our <a href="http://store.guitarworld.com/collections/guitar-world/products/guitar-world-july-12-slash/?&amp;utm_source=guitarworld.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=loudproud">online store</a>.</em></p>
<p>In the following video, <em>Guitar World</em>'s Paul Riario checks out the new Tubemeister 5 combo and head from Hughes and Kettner.</p>
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<!--paging_filter--><p><em>These videos are bonus content related to the January 2012 issue of </em>Guitar World<em>. For full print reviews, lesson tabs and more, look for theJanuary 2012 issue of </em>Guitar World<em> on newsstands now, or purchase this issue in our online store <a href="http://secure.nps1.net/guitarworld/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=9&amp;products_id=286&amp;utm_source=guitarworld.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=127HughesReview">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>For the rest of the January 2012 video content, head <a href="http://www.guitarworld.com/Jan2012">here</a>.<br />
</em></p>
<p>In the following videos, <em>Guitar World</em>'s Paul Riario reviews the Tubemeister 18 head from Hughes &amp; Kettner.</p>
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<!--paging_filter--><p><em>These videos are bonus content related to the November 2011 issue of </em>Guitar World<em>. </em></p>
<p>For full print reviews, lesson tabs and more, look for the November 2011 issue of <em>Guitar World</em> on newsstands now, or purchase this issue in our online store <a href="http://secure.nps1.net/guitarworld/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=9&amp;products_id=270&amp;utm_source=guitarworld.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=091411HKCorebladeReview">here</a>.</p>
<p>In the following videos, <em>Guitar World</em>'s Paul Riario reviews the new Hughes &amp; Kettner Coreblade amp. Check out the "Sounds" video for the product demo, and "Features" to check out the product details and get our final verdict!</p>
<p><strong>Sounds</strong></p>
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<strong>Features</strong></p>
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